1981 Vespa Converted to an Electric Motor

and a

1977 Ford Ranchero to be restored 

in New Zealand!

Both from sunny Burbank

 

From Electric Vespa

Completed, May, 2011 - Testing Range with Lead-Acid Batteries

 

From Electric Vespa

Now at

Leitch Motorsport and Restoration

Invercargill, New Zealand (it's fall there now)

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with a 1981 Vespa, from Bar Italia, for restoration and conversion to an electric motor

On June 21, 2010 the Ranchero and Vespa were driven from Burbank to Atlant USA in Compton, California, to be loaded in a container destined for Dunedin, New Zealand. This could be the last 27 miles in the US for this old Ford!  I returned to Burbank on the Metro Blue line, which was just a short walk from Atlant to the Artesia station.  The Blue Line ends in downtown Los Angeles, so it was another short walk to catch the #96 bus to within a block of our Burbank residence.  The shipping specialist for cars, motorcycles and similar to New Zealand is Robbie Stevens, doing business as Imperial Freight, Ltd.  He shipped my Frazer Nash to New Zealand in 2004, so I've had a good experience with his business. The Ranchero was specifically bought in April for this project from craigslist. After meeting the seller and checking it, I returned to pick it up using the Los Angeles Metro bus system - just one transfer from my house to the seller in Cypress, 28 miles away, but 3 hours on the two buses! Why a Vespa? A 1955 Vespa was my first "vehicle" - and I still have it!  It was originally restored by my brother, Dan Schmitt (TeamChicago.com) and completed by Bar Italia in 2010 with correct engine and other details.  Someday the old Allstate/Meyers sidecar will be completed and be rejoined with the Vespa.  Meanwhile, it's great to drive! An electric motor conversion to the more-widely available P200 Vespa will be an interesting project.  Kara and Kristian at Bar Italia think there is a market for conversion kits at a reasonable price.  Newly developed hub motors, modern controllers and batteries have been identified that should exactly meet all the project's needs. If this first project works well, why not an electric scooter and sidecar?  This will give more capacity for errands, shopping and batteries! Finally, why not add a second hub motor to replace the sidecar wheel? The Motore Elettrico After some research and an endorsement from electric car constructor Reverend Gadget, I ordered a 2 KW 10" hub motor, controller, charger and related parts from Kelly Controls, LLC. This company has an extensive inventory of motors and controllers and is a strong supporter of electric motorcycle racing.  Good enough for me! The parts arrived at Leitch Motorsport on November 8, 2010. They are now fabricating a rear axle/swing arm to mount the motor, the battery mounting hardware and anything else necessary to create the "Vespa Motore Elettrico". The motor is designed for 48V and will initially use four 12v lead-acid gel cell batteries.  After testing for range and speed, the batteries will be upgraded to NiMH or Lithium-Ion, after considering improvements to range, weight and life-cycle cost.   At Leitch Motorsport - left side, new battery box.  Note trial fit of hub motor.   Right side, new battery box. Vespa Motore Elettrico, newly painted "Viper Chrome Yellow, partly assembled, March 2011 From Vespa Greg and Barry will next fabricate a second set of conversion hardware, ship it to Bar Italia and we will convert a second Vespa P200 using the same or similar parts from Kelly Controls.

 

From Ranchero and Vespa

From Ranchero and Vespa

Robbie wrote that the Ranchero and Vespa were put in a container and delivered to the docks on July 1. He later confirmed that the Ranchero and Vespa's container is on the ANL BINBURRA, which is due to arrive in Auckland on July 20.  Several websites provide tracking information for commercial shipping. I think it's fairly amazing that this information is available! Ranchero Status An email on July 23 from Robbie said the container is in Dunedin, "...the container is being fumigated Monday/Tuesday so will unload Wednesday. Usually takes a few days for the cleaning/inspection process." On August 4, Barry sent an email that the car had been picked up from the docks by a friend in Dunedin and would be in his shop until brought down to Invercargill.  Just a few hours after that note, Triumph restorer Dave Mehrtens sent me photos of the Ranchero and Vespa on a Dunedin street.  Amazing! Just a few weeks later, Barry was in Dunedin on other business, hopped in the Ranchero and drove it to his shop in Invercargill.  Both Barry and Greg Hunter, the engine expert, have pronounced the Ranchero "OK", so it's a good starting point for the next steps. The Ranchero is being checked and prepared for registration in New Zealand. Petrus is considering colors for painting - white is practical, but the Ranchero was not shipped to New Zealand to be practical! Why send a car to New Zealand for restoration from the US or UK? It can be an adventure - when your car is done, fly there, pick it up and tour (wonderful) New Zealand!  Better reasons - you are fairly certain to have lower, reasonable costs, high quality work*, and a schedule you can believe in - all good factors which will be detailed here soon!! Do you have a stalled restoration project, are curious about New Zealand or want to know more about shipping, customs, restoration costs?  Send me an email! Bob, in sunny Burbank * My previous project at Leitch Motorsport and Restoration was on the cover of New Zealand Classic Car magazine, October 2009. Related Businesses: Bar Italia Leitch Motorsport and Restoration Kelly Controls, LLC Left Coast Electric - very skilled "full electric automotive conversions" Scooter Cover "Protect Your Scooter From The Elements"

June 22, 2011